Means for and method of reforming knuckles



F. Kl N N E MEANS FOR AND METHOD OF REFORMING KNUCKLES 5 Sheets-Sheet lFiled OGJL. 19, 1931 www@ IE. En. MHJNE MEANS FOR AND METHOD OFREFORMING KNUCKLES www Filed Oct. 19, 1951 3 SheeJCS-She 2 im. mmm

MEANS FOR AND METHOD OF REFORMING KNUCKLES 3 SheeS-Sheet 3 Filed OC't.19, 1931 Patented Apr.. 28, i936 MEANS FR AND METHD @1F REFRMENGKNTUUKLES poration of New .lersey Application @ctober 19, i931, SerialNo. 569,565

i6 (Claims.

The present invention relates to knuckles and more in particular toknuckles for use in standard A. R. A. type D couplers.

Among the objects of the present invention is to provide a novel meansfor and method of reforming knuckles for railway car couplers, aslikewise the improved product formed thereby, and more particularly to ameans for and method of reforming knuckles adapted for use in standardA. R. A. type D couplers.

It is interesting to note that standard A. R. A. type D couplers are ofa very sturdy design and the knucklesforming a part thereof, instead 4ofbreaking and being retired from service, wear out less rapidly than someof the other parts. This has resulted in a vast accumulation by therailroads of a surplus supply of knuckles, which, until the presenttime, have not been reconditioned for use because of the expenseinvolved in reforming the same. These knuckles are Worn to an extentwhich makes them impractical and dangerous to use because of the factthat when the same are placed in couplers, they will not give asufficiently correct contour line to meet the requirements of safetyagainst accidental uncoupling. Various methods have been tried in anendeavor to recondition or reform these knuckles at a substantially lowand economical figure as compared with the cost of new knuckles, butthese methods have been unsuccessful. Briefly, these methods haveincluded forging, swaging, or more frequently by endeavoring to weldportions of material upon the worn parts. These methods are quiteunsatisfactory, inasmuch as in practice, these forged, swaged, or addedportions of material have been unable to withstand the severe usage towhich the same have been subjected.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide novelmeans for reconditioning and reshaping the knuckles of car couplers andwhich may be easily and readily manipulated for effectively restoringthe contour of worn knuckles to the contour of a new knuckle, this meansbeing inexpensive, and the cost of reforming these worn knuckles beingeffected at an economical figure relative to the cost of a new knuckle.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a novel means forreforming and reconditioning type D knuckles which will result in theformation .of a knuckle conforming to the contour of a new knuckle whichwill meet all the requirements of safety against accidental uncoupling,as likewise one which will meet all standards of gauge and contour.

The invention includes the idea of providing a method of reforming typeD knuckles and includes the steps of heating the knuckle to a propertemperature, and applying a pressure thereto while the same is confinedwithin certain limits dening the contour of a new knuckle, whereby thesame is reshaped and reconditioned. Knuckles reformed or reconditionedin this manner are suitable for use in a new coupler or in othercouplers which have not been subjected to excessive wear. It has alsobeen found that the strength of the knuckles reformed in accordance withthis procedure has not been lessened, but on the other hand, hasactually been increased because of the heat treatment.

With these and various other objects in View, the invention may consistof certain novel features lof construction and operation, as will bemore fully described and particularly pointed out in the specification,drawings and claims appended hereto.

In the drawings, which illustrate an embodiment of the device, andwherein like reference characters are used to designate like parts-Figure l is a fragmentary view in horizontal cross section of a standardA. R. A. type D coupler with the knuckle and lock in place;

Figure 2 is a top plan View of a device made in accordance with thepresent invention for reforming worn knuckles and disclosing the same incondition to receive a knuckle;

Figure 3 is a top plan view similar to that shown in Figure 2 of thedrawings and showing a knuckle held in place thereon;

Figure 4 is a View in side elevation of the device shown in Figures 2and 3 of the drawings with the knuckle in place as in Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a view in side elevation similar to Figure 4 and disclosingthe device in a position after the reforming of the knuckle has beeneffected;

Figure 6 is a View in vertical cross section taken in the planerepresented by line Eiof Figure 5 of the drawings;

Figure 7 is a view in vertical cross section taken in a planerepresented by line l--l of Figure 3 of the drawings; and

Figure 8 is a fragmentary top plan view of a car coupler disclosing therelative contour of a worn knuckle and a reformed knuckle made inaccordance with the present invention.

Referring now more in detail to the drawings, a standard A. R. A. type Dcoupler is disclosed in Figure 1 and comprises a head 2 having a knuckle4 pivotally mounted therein, as by means of a pin 6. .This knuckle 4 isformed in accordance with the standard A. R. A. type D contour andincludes a nose S and a tail portion Il] adapted to be received withinthe head of the coupler 2 and be locked in position by means of the lockI2, this lock being associated with the knuckle opener i8 havingcooperative surface engagement with the locking face 26 disposed on thetail piece I6.

Under actual operating conditions, the knuckle 4 becomes worn over thelocking face 20, as likewise over the pulling surfaces 22 of the lugs24, the contacting surfaces 26 of the pin protector 28, and thecontacting surfaces 30 between the knuckle 4 and the knuckle pivot pin6, which results in a looseness of the contour of a worn knuckle therebyincreasing the gauge distance G between the nose 8 of the knuckle andthe guard arm 32 of the coupler head. The increase in the gauge distanceG is limited by standard requirements, and once this opening hasincreased beyond this limit, the danger of accidental uncoupling ofopposing couplers is augmented and a replacement thereof is necessaryand required.

As hereinbefore indicated, these worn knuckles have accumulated, andeven though various attempts have been made to reform the same as byforging or swaging, or by adding material to the locking face 20thereof, no successful method has been heretofore devised foreconomically and cheaply reconditioning these knuckles for use.

The present invention accordingly comprehends the idea of providingsuitable means for reforming and reshaping these worn knuckles 4,whereby the same may be again used in a new coupler or couplers whichhave not been subjected to excessive wear. Such means is disclosed ascomprising a movable die block or member 34 pivotally mounted, as at 36,upon the base 38, this movable die block or member 34 being providedwith a recess 40 conforming substantially to the contour of the tailpiece l0 of the knuckle 4. A knuckle 4 to be reformed in accordance withthe present disclosure is inserted within this recess or opening 40 andis secured in place, as clearly shown in Figures 4 and 6 of thedrawings, by means of a pin or pivot 42 adapted to extend between lugsor ears 44 and 46 provided on the upper portion of the die block 34, thesame passing through openings 48 and 58 provided in these ears 44 and46, respectively, and passing through the opening 52 which is normallyadapted to receive the pivot pin 6 when the knuckle is mounted withinthe coupler head 2.

After the knuckle 4 has been inserted within the die block 34 andsecured in place by the pin 42, the tail portion thereof is firmlysecured in its proper position by means of the wedge blocks 54 and 56,the smaller wedge block 54 being provided with a handle 58 for insertingand removing the same from the die block 34. After these wedge blocks 54and 56 have been inserted in their respective openings provided in thedie block 34, the knuckle 4 and the knuckle reforming device are in anassembled position substantially corresponding to that disclosed inFigure 4 of the drawings. The movable die block 34 is further providedwith a substantially vertical or upright opening or cavity 59 adapted toreceive a die member 66 extending upwardly from the base 38 and beingprovided with a recess or groove 62 in its upper surface correspondingsubstantially to the back faces 64 and 66 of the knuckle tail piece.

Before the application of pressure to the knuckle 4, as will be latermore fully disclosed, the movable die block or member 34 is normallymaintained in a slightly tipped position, as clearly shown in Figure 4of the drawings, by means of coil springs 68 adapted to be positionedwithin the cavities or recesses 'lil provided in this die block, thesesprings being supported upon the base 38 and having their other or lowerend maintained in position by means of the lugs or protuberances 'l2provided on this base 38.

After the knuckle 4 has been clamped or secured in the die block 34 inthe manner above disclosed, the knuckle, together with the knuckleforming device, may be moved into a position whereby a die member 'I4engages with the front face of the knuckle 4, as clearly shown in Figure4 of the drawings. This die member 'I4 is provided with a surfaceportion 'I6 corresponding substantially with the front face of theknuckle 4 and the same is pivotally secured, as by means of the pin I8to a bracket or arm 80 of a hydraulic press or the like (not disclosed).Before the application of pressure through the medium of the hydraulicpress or the like, a die block 82 is moved into place as shown, andimmediately below the nose of the knuckle.

After the die block 82 has been moved into association with the nose -8of the knuckle 4, and the knuckle, together with the knuckle formingdevice, has been placed in association with the die block 14 of thehydraulic press, as shown in Figure 4 of the drawings, the hydraulicpress or other suitable means may be operated to apply a pressure alongthe front face of the knuckle 4 to cause a bending of the worn knucklealong a plane represented by line A-A of Figure 1 of the drawings. Thebending of this nose of the knuckle 4 is limited in extent by the dieblock 82 which is provided with a recessed portion 84 having a surfacecoorresponding to the contour of the nose of a new knuckle. Contact ofthe nose of the knuckle 4 with this surface and during the applicationof pressure reforms the contour of the nose to correspond with thecontour of a new knuckle. During the application of pressure to thefront face of the knuckle 4, the die block or member 34 is moveddownwardly toward the base 36 and against the spring action of the coilsprings 68, whereby the surface of the recessed portion 62 engages orcomes into contact with the surfaces 64 and 66 of the tail portion ofthe knuckle to reform the contour thereof and to cause an engagement ofthe pulling surfaces 86 and 88 with overhanging shoulder portions 96 and92 of the die member 34, thus causing a reshaping of these pullingsurfaces to correspond with the contour of the surfaces of a newknuckle. After the knuckle has been reformed or reshaped in accordancewith this disclosure, the pressure may be released and the knuckle 4removed from the die block 34 by removing the wedge block 56 and theblock 54, as likewise the pin 42.

As clearly shown in Figure 8 of the drawings, the contour of a knucklewhich has been in use and been subjected to wear is shown at 94, whereasa knuckle which has been reformed and reshaped in accordance with thepresent disclosure is shown as having a contour represented by the line96. Even though substantial wear has taken place over the pullingsurface 26 of the tail piece of the knuckle 4, and at other bearingpoints, the nose of the knuckle may be proportionately bent in a planesubstantially represented by line A-A to position the nose 8 of theknuckle in relation to the pulling face Z so that when this reformed andreshaped knuckle is used in a new coupler or a coupler which has beensubject to very little wear, the gauge distance represented by the lineD of Figure 8 is equal to the gauge distance G as shown in Figure l of anew type D coupler. This new and novel method of reforming or reshapinga knuckle has the distinct advantage of providing a knuckle which maynot only be used in a new coupler or one having substantially littlewear, but likewise may be interchangeable from one coupler to another,and still maintain the acceptable gauge distance. It has also been foundthat the strength of the knuckle is not impaired or lessened because ofthe bending or compressing of portions thereof, but on the other hand issubstantially increased because of the heat treatment necessary toeffect this bending and compressing.

It is to be understood that I do not wish to be limited by the exactembodiment of the device shown, which is merely by way of illustrationand not limitation, as various and other forms of the device will ofcourse be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing fromthe spirit of the invention or the scope of the claims.

I claim:

1. A knuckle reforming device comprising a movable die member forreceiving the tail portion of said knuckle, means associated therewithand adapted to engage said tail portion upon movement of said memberunder pressure for reshaping said tail portion to conform to the contourof a new knuckle, and means carried by said movable die member forengaging the nose of said knuckle for reforming the same.

2. A knuckle reforming device comprising a die for receiving andreshaping the hub and tail of said knuckle, means for supporting saidknuckle whereby the nose thereof is exterior to said die and free tomove relative to said tail, means for applying pressure to said nosewhereby the same is moved into its normal relation with said tail andsaid tail is reshaped to correspond to similar parts in a new knuckle,and means engageable with said nose for reforming the same when saidpressure is applied to correspond to similar parts of a new knuckle.

3. A knuckle reforming device comprlsmg a movable die member forreceiving and reshaping a hub and tail of said knuckle, means forsupporting said knuckle whereby the nose thereof is exterior to said dieand free to move relative to said tail, means for applying pressure tosaid nose whereby the same is moved into its normal relation with saidtail, and means engageable with said tail upon application of pressurewhereby said tail and hub are reshaped to conform with certain portionsof the cavity of said die member to correspond to similar parts of a newknuckle.

4. A knuckle reforming device comprising a movable die member forreceiving and reshaping a hub and tail of said knuckle, means forsupporting said knuckle whereby the nose thereof is exterior to said dieand free to move relative to said tail, means for applying pressure tosaid nose whereby the Same is moved into its normal relation with saidtail, means engageable with said tail upon application of pressurewhereby said tail and hub are reshaped to conform with certain portionsof the cavity of said die inember to correspond to similar parts of anew knuckle, and means engageable with said nose for reforming the samewhen said pressure is applied.

5. A knuckle reforminCr device comprising a base provided with aprojecting die member, a die member pivoted to said base for receivingand reshaping the tail of said knuckle, said second die member having anopening adapted to receive said projecting die member, means forsupporting said knuckle in said second die member whereby the nosethereof is exterior to the same, means for normally maintaining saidprojecting die member in spaced relation to said tail, and means forapplying pressure to said nose to move the same into its normal relationwith said tail and to effect an engagement between said projecting diemember and said tail to reshape the same.

6. A knuckle reforming device comprising a base provided with aprojecting die member, a die member pivoted to said base for receivingand reshaping the tail of said knuckle, said second die member having anopening adapted to receive said projecting die member, means forsupporting said knuckle in said second die member whereby the nosethereof is exterior to the same, means for normally maintaining saidprojecting die member in spaced relation to said tail, means forapplying pressure to said nose to move the same into its normal relationwith said tail and to effect an engagement between said projecting diemember and said tail to reshape the same, and means engageable with saidnose for reforming the same when said pressure is applied.

7. A knuckle reforming device comprising a movable die member adapted toreceive the hub and tail of said knuckle, means for supporting saidknuckle in said die whereby said nose is free to move relative to saidtail, means for applying pressure to said knuckle and to move the sameand said die member whereby said nose is moved into its normal relationwith said hub and tail to correspond to similiar parts in a new knuckle,said die member having an opening, and means extending into said openingand being engageable with said tail to reshape the same and said hub inconformity with certain portions of the cavity of said die member uponmovement thereof to correspond to similar parts in a new knuckle.

8. The method of reforming a knuckle having a worn locking face and wornpulling faces, comprising the steps of heating said knuckle, bendingsaid knuckle about the hub thereof to return certain of said pullingfaces into substantially normal relation to said locking facecorresponding to the disposition of similar faces in a new knuckle, andcompressing said knuckle to return certain other of said pulling facesinto substantially normal relation to the faces affected by said bendingand to redistribute metal therein to reshape said Worn faces tocorrespond to similar faces in a new knuckle.

9. In a method of reforming a knuckle having a nose portion having aworn pulling face land a tail portion having a worn locking face andprojecting portions having worn faces, the steps of heating saidknuckle, bending one of said first-named portions relative to the otherto return said locking and pulling faces substantially into their normalrelation corresponding to similiar faces in a new knuckle, andcompressing said tail portion to redistribute the metal therein toreturn the worn faces of said projecting portions into their normalrelation with the other of said faces corresponding to the normalrelation of these faces in a new knuckle.

10. In a method of reforming a knuckle having a nose portion having aworn pulling face and a tail portion having a worn locking face andprojecting portions having worn faces, the steps of heating saidknuckle, bending one of said firstnamed portions relative to the otherto return said locking and pulling faces substantially into their normalrelation corresponding to similar faces in a new knuckle, andcompressing said knuckle to reshape said locking `and pulling faces andto redistribute the metal in said tail portion to return the worn facesof said projecting portions into their normal relation with the other ofsaid faces corresponding to the normal relation of these faces in a newknuckle.

11. In a method of reforming a knuckle having a nose portion having aworn pulling face and a tail portion having a worn locking face andpulling lugs having worn faces, the steps of heating said knuckle,bending one of said first-named portions relative to the other to returnsaid locking and pulling faces substantially into their normal relationcorresponding to similar faces in a new knuckle, and compressing saidtail portion to redistribute the metal therein to return the worn facesof said pulling lugs into their normal relation with the other of saidfaces corresponding to the normal relation of these faces in a newknuckle.

12. In a method of reforming a knuckle having a nose portion having aworn pulling face, a hub i portion having a worn pivot pin opening and atail portion having a worn locking face and projecting portions havingworn faces, the steps of heating said knuckle, bending said nose portionrelative to said tail portion about said hub portion to return saidlocking and pulling faces substantially into their normal relationcorresponding to similar faces in a new knuckle, and compressing saidknuckle to reshape said locking and pulling faces and to redistributethe metal in said tail portion to return the worn faces of saidprojecting portions into their normal relation with the other of saidfaces corresponding to the normal relation of these faces in a newknuckle, said bending and compressing returning said pivot pin openingto its normal position in said hub and in its normal position in respectto said faces corresponding to similar parts in a new knuckle.

13. In a method of reforming a knuckle having a worn locking face andworn pulling faces, the steps of heating said knuckle, bendingsaidknuckle to return certain of said pulling faces into substantiallynormal relation to said locking face corresponding to the disposition ofsimilar faces in a new knuckle, and compressing said knuckle toredistribute metal therein to reshape said faces to correspond tosimiliar faces in a new knuckle.

14. In a method of reforming a knuckle having a nose portion having aworn pulling face and a tail portion having a worn locking face, thesteps of heating said knuckle, bending one of said first-named portionsrelative to the other to return said locking and pulling facessubstantially into their normal relation corresponding to similar facesin a new knuckle, and compressing said knuckle to redistribute metaltherein to reshape said faces to correspond to similar faces in a newnuckle.

15. In a method of reforming a knuckle having a nose portion having aworn pulling face and a tail portion having a worn locking face, thesteps of heating said knuckle, bending one of said rstnamed portionsrelative to the other to return said locking and pulling facessubstantially into their normal relation corresponding to similar facesin a new knuckle, and compressing said nose and tail to redistributemetal therein to reshape said faces to correspond to similiar faces in anew knuckle.

16. In a method of reforming a knuckle having ,a nose portion having aworn pulling face and a tail having a worn locking face and projectingportions having worn faces, the steps of heating said knuckle, bendingone of said first-named portions relative to the other to return saidlocking and pulling faces substantially into their normal relationcorresponding to similar faces in a new knuckle, and compressing saidknuckle to redistribute metal therein to return the worn faces of saidpulling lugs into their normal relation with the other of said faces andto reshape all of said faces to correspond to similar faces in a newknuckle.

EDMUND P. KINNE.

